Liverpool dug deep and managed to get a 2-1 win over Bournemouth at Anfield to end their two-match losing streak on Saturday.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane scored the goals for the Reds to win them the game. Callum Wilson had given the away side an early lead, but that didn’t last long.
After a fairly dominant start by Jurgen Klopp’s men, Bournemouth scored from their first counter-attack, when Wilson brushed off Joe Gomez before getting the ball wide and receiving it back for the tap in.
Replays showed the aforementioned scorer pushed the Liverpool defender in the build-up, however, VAR didn’t rule the goal out.
The home side equalised in the 25th minute, when Mane won the ball higher up before setting up Salah for the goal.
Eight minutes later, the former got a goal of his own when Virgil van Dijk won the ball in midfield and played a magnificent defence-splitting through ball.
Both teams had few chances in the second half, with James Milner clearing one off the line from Ryan Fraser and Mane clattering the post from a long-range effort.
All in all, a good win for Liverpool ahead of the vital game on Wednesday.
Here’s how we rated the Reds…
Adrian - 4
Couldn’t have done much to save the goal, but looked very susceptible in other situations.
Couple of shots were straight at him, but his confidence levels appeared low, so he had to parry them out.
The Spaniard has to be better than this against Atletico.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 4
Another underpar performance from the right-back, whose passing and crossing was off. An average afternoon for the local lad.
Joe Gomez - 7
Apart from getting beaten unfairly for the Wilson goal, Gomez was solid at the back and read the danger well.
He won a lot of aerial duels and passed the ball with conviction from back to front.
Virgil van Dijk - 7
A much-better display from the Dutchman compared to Tuesday, where he was decisive at the back and made some good passes.
His read and excellent through ball for Mane’s game-winning goal was world-class.
James Milner - 9
A captain’s performance from Milner at left-back, where he defended well when required and was an option going forward.
His goal-line clearance in the second half, along with an animated pre-match team talk, showed why he is one of the important members of the Liverpool squad.
Fabinho - 5
A mixed afternoon for Fabinho, where his passing was better than the last few games, but work off the ball wasn’t good enough.
With this form from the Brazilian, Klopp will have to think twice before playing him on Wednesday.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6
Despite not getting a lot of change in midfield, Oxlade-Chamberlain worked hard for the team and created one or two good moments in the final third.
His ability to change the pace of attack in a split second is a very good quality to have.
Subbed off later on.
Georginio Wijnaldum - 7
A steady performance from the Dutchman, who was sharp on the ball and carried it forward well. His off the ball work was very good too, meaning he could control his area of the midfield expertly.
Mohamed Salah - 8
Salah had a very good first half where he scored the goal, created good moments and looked menacing on the ball.
The Egyptian had an indifferent second half, but still looked threatening on the ball and created chances.
Roberto Firmino - 4
Another game where Firmino struggled to have his say on. He couldn’t really get the ball, was non-existent in the pressing game and lacked confidence overall.
The chance he missed later on from a few yards summed up his performance.
Subbed off late on.
Sadio Mane - 8
Mane was somewhat close to back to his best. Assisted and scored a goal in the first half and looked very good after the break.
His long-range curling effort that hit the bar was picturesque.
(SUB) Adam Lallana - 6
Came on for the last few minutes to add calm to the midfield.
(SUB) Divock Origi - N/A
Came on very late to have any substantial impact on the game.